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Art Milwaukee launches residency program

Four local artists will move into new studios inside the Hampton Inn, 176 W. Wisconsin Ave., today as part of a new art residency program organized by ART Milwaukee, an event planning organization that creates art-related happenings for young professionals. »Read Full Blog Post

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A residency at the Hampton Inn is a lot like a residency at the Pfister, except that the Pfister is a beautiful 120 year-old historic hotel tied to the city's history, and the Hampton Inn is a boring, cookie cutter, international chain. At least the idea was stolen from a good source.

Hey Jack. Not to make you sound stupid, but artist residencies have been common in large cities across the globe for the better part of the last century. Implying that the Hampton stole the idea from the Pfister is kind of like accusing China Wok of stealing ideas from PF Changs. Which is silly, because as we all know, Chinese food was invented in NYC's lower east side.

Jack,This residency program is designed to enhance the image of the street, activate an empty storefront, and provide a highly visible place for artists to work. The storefront faces the street so that pedestrians can see art being created as they walk downtown. This differs from the Pfister residency program which is extremely successful but in a different way. The Hampton is was kind enough to donate the space to a great cause.

I'm sure you're right, Ian. How could putting a few artists in glass cages to entertain the homeless not change everybody's view of Wisconsin Avenue? But what would I know about marketing? I suppose I'm just another wordsmith getting in the way of the Great Milwaukee Committee's realization of Richard Florida's 15-year-old ideas.

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